Bill 117 HR 8816, also known as the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2022, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of enhancing efforts to combat child exploitation and abuse. The bill seeks to provide additional resources and support to law enforcement agencies and organizations working to protect children from online predators and other forms of exploitation.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the authorization of funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, which is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing over 4,500 federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. This funding will help to strengthen the capabilities of these task forces in investigating and prosecuting cases of child exploitation.
Additionally, the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2022 includes measures to improve coordination and information sharing among law enforcement agencies, as well as to enhance training and technical assistance for those working to combat child exploitation. The bill also aims to increase penalties for individuals convicted of child exploitation offenses, in order to deter future crimes and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Overall, the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2022 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that seeks to address the growing problem of child exploitation and abuse in the United States. By providing additional resources, support, and penalties for offenders, the bill aims to better protect children from harm and ensure that those who commit crimes against children are brought to justice.